"Frank Grimes" (FrankGrimes)
12/09/2016 at 15:54 • Filed to: None
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"Frank Grimes" (FrankGrimes)
12/09/2016 at 15:54 • Filed to: None | 8
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RTV is an acronym for Room Temperature Vulcanization
These products are fantastic for replacing gaskets sealing gaskets or replacing o rings and using on metal to metal places where there is no gasket. Basically they seal things and remain flexible.
Vulcanization or vulcanisation is a chemical process for converting natural rubber or related polymers into more durable materials by the addition of sulfur or other equivalent curatives or accelerators.
The RTV we are familiar in using for automotive applications is a one part usually sold in a tube or if you are baller in a pressurized can.
There are many types usually identified and referred to by the color. These have different applications and different heat capacities.
Room-temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicone is constructed of reactive oil-based polymers combined with strengthening mineral fillers. There are two types of room-temperature vulcanizing silicone:
RTV-1 (One-component systems); hardens due to the action of atmospheric humidity, a catalyst, and acetoxysilane. Acetoxysilane, when exposed to humid conditions, will form acetic acid. The curing process begins on the outer surface and progresses through to its core. The product is packed in airtight cartridges and is either in a fluid or paste form. RTV-1 silicone has good adhesion, elasticity, and durability characteristics. The Shore hardness can be varied between 18 and 60. Elongation at break can range from 150% up to 700%. They have excellent aging resistance due to superior resistance to UV radiation and weathering.
My experience with rtv has been when a seal is needed between two close fitting metal parts. Most recently on a mazda miata 1.8 engine the valve cover and the oil pan. Black RTV is called for and shown below in the red spots there are caps holding the cams in place and RTV is called for to seal between the caps and the cylinder head and fill in caps between the hard rubber valve cover gasket and the caps and cylinder head.
Sometimes repairs are called for when there is no gaskets but a bead of RTV is called for such as in the oil pan. In this case the dropped u shaped parts of the oil pan seal against rubber gaskets installed in in the long block assembly.
and a bead is run around the flat surface of the oil pan that mates to the block and around all the bolt holes.
In closing RTV is awesome at sealing. But it has its limitations as well. Dont be that guy who installs a 1/4" bead around everything. Be sure to read your repair manual and follow its suggestions as well as the manufacturer of your RTV to find the proper type and procedures.
crowmolly
> Frank Grimes
12/09/2016 at 16:04 |
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Also, red RTV is food safe.
HammerheadFistpunch
> Frank Grimes
12/09/2016 at 16:05 |
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Timely, I’ve been contemplating resealing my windshield and they say black RTV is the way to go. (it leaks in the corner and im not exited about a new windshield since my 283,000 mile example is doing fine)
Takuro Spirit
> Frank Grimes
12/09/2016 at 16:09 |
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The only thing I know about RTV is if you mix axle RTV (Orange) with ATF RTV (Black) it reacts and smokes and smells bad.
TahoeSTi
> Frank Grimes
12/09/2016 at 16:11 |
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I learned something today.
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Frank Grimes
> HammerheadFistpunch
12/09/2016 at 16:12 |
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I would use this. But I am not smart enough to decide when something is the same as another thing and end up using the specific product.
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HammerheadFistpunch
> Frank Grimes
12/09/2016 at 16:17 |
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well if it works for NASCAR
Urambo Tauro
> Frank Grimes
12/09/2016 at 17:11 |
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Great write-up! I love to use RTV, but only for certain applications. (Certainly not head gaskets LOL)
One of the things that I’ve had good luck with is tightening components only halfway to spec before the RTV cures . Proper torque is always important, especially with gaskets. But giving the RTV a chance to set up first allows the final round of torquing to really clamp the material tightly instead of just squeezing it out of the way.
7:07
> crowmolly
12/09/2016 at 17:30 |
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So, ketchup...?
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Frank Grimes
> Urambo Tauro
12/09/2016 at 20:49 |
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I would guess this would be the way to go for irregular surfaces but if I remember right at least with the brand of black RTV I used the other day it says to do up all the bolts within 30 minutes.
I spent a lot of time reading about RTV and its various uses and if the manufacturers are to be believed you could replace every gasket on your car with RTV! Of course I would never do that. I find it funny they specifically state not to use it for head gaskets LOL.
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Urambo Tauro
> Frank Grimes
12/09/2016 at 20:58 |
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I saw a pic once on Just Rolled into the Shop that had a whole head gasket smeared over with blue (or as it red?) RTV. Apparently the tech had a bear of a time prying the head off, and that’s why. Yuck.
AMGtech - now with more recalls!
> Frank Grimes
12/09/2016 at 21:05 |
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To add; don’t mix types of RTV, and some types of RTV will eat through certain types of gaskets (I’m looking at you, grey ), so be careful there.
You might also be interested to learn that most Mercedes engines in the past decade solely use RTV fit many components including valve covers, oil pans and timing covers. These very rarely leak, so rarely that it almost only happens after someone has worked on them and messed up the sealant path or application process.
You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much
> Takuro Spirit
12/10/2016 at 19:39 |
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Are those available at auto parts stores? Asking for a friend.
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Takuro Spirit
> You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much
12/11/2016 at 22:21 |
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Should be? I only know because someone showed me with Mopar stuff, but off the shelf RTV of the same types should work.